CASTRALE PUTTS SELF ON TOP.

Byline: JILL PAINTER

GOLF

Nicole Castrale refused her coach's idea of a putter change before the LPGA season started.

The thought of such a move was too intimidating. So Castrale, a former USC golfer, played with her customary putter and continually put herself in position to win. But it wasn't because of her putter.

Castrale, who has had several surgeries during an injury-plagued career, was agonizingly close to her first victory in the Ginn Open in April, where she finished in a tie for fourth after a disappointing 74 in the final round. She had threetop-10 finishes, but still didn't have a victory.

About a month ago, Castrale took coach Bill Harmon's advice and changed to a belly putter, which has a longer shaft.

"It was so nerve-racking the way I was putting before," Castrale said in a phone interview on Tuesday. "I wasn't playing bad, but I wasn't making anything. If you're going to win out there, you have to putt well. I figured it couldn't get any worse than it had been."

It got better -- much better. Castrale found herself in a playoff with the world's top-ranked player, Lorena Ochoa, in the Ginn Tribute this past weekend and came away with her first LPGA Tour title with a final-round 71 and earned $390,000.

"I never doubted if I could win out there," Castrale said. "I felt it was just a matter of time. The qualify of play out there is tremendous. Every week there's 144of the top women golfers in the world. To compete at that level, you have to play well. I knew if I stayed patient, it would happen."

She didn't, however, stand pat. The putting change was just what she needed, although she didn't have to sink a miraculous putt on the playoff hole. Ochoa put her drive left in a hazard, had to take a drop and penalty stroke and Castrale made par to win.

Castrale said she wasn't aware that Ochoa had never won in a playoff and now is 0 for 4 in such situations. She said she basked in the calmness of her husband and caddie, Craig, who's been on her bag for three years.

Castrale worked her way through the Futures Tour, conditional status on the LPGA Tour -- she debuted as a rookie in 2002 -- and was in the best shape of her life when she got her tour card back last year.

USC coach Andrea Gaston, who coached Castrale through 2001, remembered when Castrale, a big-time recruit out of Palm Desert, chose to attend USC.

Jennifer Rosales and a host of other big names followed. Castrale's final two years at USC, however, were marred by injuries, including one suffered in a car accident.

"That was the hand she was dealt," Gaston said. "Injuries were a big part of that time period. It was very unfortunate. Everyone anticipated her being a huge success. She had a great start her first couple of years, but then she had to sit out several tournaments.

"She never lost sight of that dream to be a pro golfer."

Castrale is third on the money list at $622,587 and her next goal is to play in the Solheim Cup.

Of course, she's playing well at a great time, since the LPGA Championship is this week.

Her friend, pro golfer Jay Haas, sent her this text message: "There's no better time for a second win than right after the first."

And no better time to toss the old putter.

Villela more than golf standout

San Fernando High's Angela Villela won another award, although this one had little to do with her fine golf pedigree.

Villela recently was announced as a recipient of the President's Youth Leadership Award by the United States Golf Association and American Junior Golf Association.

The national award is based on community service, leadership and character through involvement with AJGA and the USGA. Joseph Suarez of Virginia won the boys' award. Villela has helped her golf team and children become interested in the sport.

"I didn't expect to get an award," Villela said. "It was about giving back and not getting anything in return. I've gotten so much and so many people help me. I didn't expect anybody to reward me for it, but it was great that it happened. It's something my parents always taught me, to give and not expect anything back."

Villela, a junior, will be honored at the Rolex Tournament of Champions, one of the most prestigious junior tournaments in the country, on July 5 in Ohio. Each award winner also will received an AJGA scholarship and four tickets to a U.S. Open of his or her choice. Villela said she will attend the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines next year.

Villela's award-winning essay chronicled her start in golf.

"I come from a community where golf isn't too popular," Villela said. "There are a lot of obstacles like drugs, gangs and teen pregnancy. Playing golf helped me to stay away from that and give me another outlet."

Villela will continue her volunteer work Friday in the San Fernando High School Golf Classic at El Cariso. Villela will set up shop at the 17th hole to encourage players to outdrive her from the tee.

Participants are asked to give a $5 donation, which Villela will give to the National Kidney Foundation in comedian George Lopez's name. Lopez, a San Fernando graduate, has helped Villela with her golf career. Lopez had a kidney transplant last year.

"I think I'll play fine," Villela said. "Obviously, there's a little more pressure because I'm trying to raise as much money as I can for the foundation."

Villela will begin making unofficial visits to colleges this weekend. She's interested in Long Beach State, UCLA, USC, Notre Dame, TCU and Florida among others.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1) Former USC golfer Nicole Castrale won her first LPGA Tour event this past weekend at the Ginn Tribute.

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

(2) VILLELA

Box:

(1) THIS WEEK

(2) Etc.